USA Travel Destinations for Families
If you’re in search of the top family travel destinations in the United States, you’re in luck! As a mom of 4 and family travel blogger, I’ve traveled all around the USA in search of the top family vacation ideas.
We have done some incredible USA road trips, visited jaw-dropping National Parks, gone to theme parks, beach towns, big cities, and enjoyed some amazing mountain vacations with our kids.
Each state has something unique to offer for families in search of their next trip. Check out the blog posts below to see what our family has experienced so far!
ARIZONA
CALIFORNIA
What to do in New River Gorge National Park with little kids and toddlers, including the best hikes, scenic drives, and places to spot wildlife. The newest National Park in the United States is truly a special place to visit for families!
When you’re traveling with young kids, where you stay is just as important as what you do on your trip. You want to look for a place with a spacious room, spots on-property where kids can be kids, available food and drink, and a friendly staff. Hotel Milo checked off all those boxes for our family on a recent visit to Santa Barbara.
First of all, I definitely was NOT disappointed by Santa Barbara, even though my expectations were sky-high. What’s the opposite of disappointed? Impressed? In love? Dazzled? Yes, I was dazzled by Santa Barbara.
FLORIDA
Thinking of taking a family spring break in Florida in 2019? This article will share the best spring break beaches for families, and some safe spring break destinations for families to avoid the crowds of college kids.There are also a few toddler friendly spring break Florida ideas to help you figure out where to go with little kids for a relaxing Florida vacation.
There is so much to do in Orlando, which is why so many families make it their vacation destination. Orlando is home to every theme park, water park, and shopping center you could ever want, but it lacks one thing - the beach! Luckily there are plenty of coastal destinations within an hour or two of Orlando. Cocoa Beach is one of the best budget day trips from Orlando.
Destin, Florida is one of those classic beach destinations families flock to. Our family lives on the east coast of Florida, so the panhandle cities on the Emerald Coast appealed to us for their sugar sand beaches and calm Gulf of Mexico waters.
You CAN take a vacation in Sanibel Island on a budget! If you're looking for a cheap vacation in Florida on a beach, you can find it in Sanibel and Fort Myers with just a bit of planning by following these 9 tips.
I would highly recommend planning a trip to 30A to enjoy the scenic highway, spacious beaches, and bustling neighborhoods. Whether you road trip along highway 30A or find a beach rental where you can stay with your family, you’ll love South Walton - the blissful stretch of beaches on Florida’s panhandle.
Looking for something fun and outside-the-box to do in Orlando? You’ll definitely want to make your next stop Terralina Crafted Italian in Disney Springs.
The cozy sit-down restaurant located in The Landing section of Disney Springs offers more than just a view of Lake Buena Vista and deeply satisfying Italian food. Terralina now offers both kids cooking classes and kids birthday party packages that families will love!
I loved the family-friendly ambiance, and can’t wait to go back! Here’s everything you need to know about visiting Terralina with your kids, and how you can get involved in one of their kids cooking classes.
If you’re looking for a family-friendly experience in Orlando and want something a little different from Disney or Universal, look no further than Discovery Cove. Here are my top tips for visiting Discovery Cove Orlando with kids.
Florida is the destination of choice for those upcoming winter breaks at school. Though it can be the busiest time of year to travel, I always love using those extra days off around Thanksgiving and Christmas to fit a little more travel in. Our family has road-tripped almost everywhere in Florida, and I can tell you from experience which places are the absolute best for a winter family vacation.
If you’re looking for a kid-friendly Florida vacation destination with beaches, outdoor recreation, history, and culture, Pensacola is a perfect spot. We would have happily stayed for an entire week!
The Diplomat Beach Resort is a gorgeous kid-friendly hotel in Hollywood, Florida. My kids had the time of their lives playing in the pool and on the beach, and eating at the many restaurants the resort has to offer. If you’re looking for a spot for your family beach vacation in South Florida, the Diplomat is the place to go!
Hollywood, Florida is a wonderful destination for a beach vacation. Here’s what to do in Hollywood, Florida with kids! This is a Florida beach town you’ll want to choose if you’re looking for a relaxed beach vacation with the option to get out and explore only if the spirit moves you. Hollywood itself has a few things to do, especially if you’re interested in art and street art, but mostly the action revolves around the sun, sand, and waves.
Sanibel Island has been at the top of my Florida Bucket List since our family moved here almost 4 years ago. The laid back island culture and abundance of sea shells called to me. I had also heard that the island was free from chain restaurants and high rises, working hard to maintain the unspoiled views and ecosystems in the area.
GEORGIA
Before this summer, all I really knew about Atlanta was that it was the worst traffic to drive through on our way from Florida to Wisconsin (or vice versa).
But all that changed when I had a chance to visit Georgia's capital with my kids. My extended family was vacationing in the mountains of northern Georgia for a week of togetherness and relaxation, and one of my 5 sisters was flying into Atlanta a few days into the trip. We decided to make a day of it when we went to pick her up.
IDAHO
Sun Valley, Idaho is known as an epic ski destination in winter, and an outdoor adventure hot spot in summer. You might not think it’s the best place to visit with young children, but you’d be surprised by how much there is to do with babies and toddlers in Sun Valley.
From easy hikes to cute restaurants and shops, your whole family will find something to love in Sun Valley and the adjacent city of Ketchum.
If you are looking for one of the best fall vacations, you absolutely cannot go wrong with Idaho. Below you’ll find my top 7 reasons for visiting Idaho in the autumn, a perfect October vacation destination!
ILLINOIS
MICHIGAN
It’s Tulip Time in Holland, Michigan! If you’re looking for a way to celebrate spring in the Midwest with a little bit of culture and a lot of great photo opportunities, look no further than Holland, MI.
MINNESOTA
f you’re looking for a family weekend getaway in the midwest, look no further than Stillwater, MN. This charming city on the banks of the St. Croix River has the best of both worlds: it’s a small town with a quaint Main Street, but it’s also part of the Minneapolis-St. Paul metro area, so you’re never too far from the action! I’ve put together the perfect guide for your visit to Stillwater, MN with kids.
MISSOURI
NEVADA
OHIO
What to do in New River Gorge National Park with little kids and toddlers, including the best hikes, scenic drives, and places to spot wildlife. The newest National Park in the United States is truly a special place to visit for families!
PUERTO RICO
SOUTH DAKOTA
What to do in Badlands National Park with little kids and toddlers, including the best hikes, scenic drives, and places to spot wildlife. Badlands is truly such a kid-friendly park!
TENNESSEE
If you’re planning a trip to Georgia or Tennessee, or you happen to be driving through the area on your way to another destination, you must make a stop at Rock City Gardens. This tourist attraction sits atop Lookout Mountain, which is technically in Georgia, but only 6 miles from downtown Chattanooga, TN. It’s a great kid-friendly stop where you can stretch your legs and take in some amazing views.
TEXAS
Ah, the open road. There's nothing quite like it. Upbeat music blasting on the radio, bare feet on the dashboard, car snacks on point...and, of course, that feeling of freedom that comes with jumping in the car and road tripping.
When you travel a lot, the hotels all begin to seem the same. But every once in a while you stay in a hotel that's so beautiful, so memorable that you can't stop thinking about it for months to come.
That's how I felt after my stay at Hotel Emma in San Antonio. Every detail was attended to, the decor was stunning, the beds were a dream, and I felt like royalty throughout my entire stay.
WASHINGTON
WASHINGTON DC
WEST VIRGINIA
What to do in New River Gorge National Park with little kids and toddlers, including the best hikes, scenic drives, and places to spot wildlife. The newest National Park in the United States is truly a special place to visit for families!
WISCONSIN
Our family was so excited to spend one weekend in October at Blue Harbor Resort. This stunning Lake Michigan resort in Wisconsin has themed rooms for kids, a water park, outdoor activities, and an arcade, so we never ran out of things to do around the property.
With plenty of short and easy trails, gigantic cactuses, and scenic drives when they need a break from the sun, there’s no shortage of things to do with your little ones in the desert oasis. It’s a must-visit if you’re in Phoenix or Tucson!